California officially becomes first in nation mandating solar power for new homes

Historic undertaking’ expected to boost number of rooftop solar panels across the Golden State. Energy officials estimated the provisions will add $10,000 to the cost of building a single-family home, about $8,400 from adding solar and about $1,500 for making homes more energy-efficient.

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California officially became the first state in the nation on Wednesday, Dec. 5 to require homes built in 2020 and later be solar powered.

To a smattering of applause, the California Building Standards Commission voted unanimously to add energy standards approved last May by another panel to the state building code.

Two commissioners and several public speakers lauded the new code as “a historic undertaking” and a model for the nation.

“These provisions really are historic and will be a beacon of light for the rest of the country,” said Kent Sasaki, a structural engineer and one of six commissioners voting for the new energy code. “(It’s) the beginning of substantial improvement in how we produce energy and reduce the consumption of fossil fuels.”

The new provisions are expected to dramatically boost the number of rooftop solar panels in the Golden State. Last year, builders took out permits for more than 115,000 new homes — almost half of them for single-family homes.

Former Seattle Police Chief Working to End the War on Drugs

Share with: We have spent one trillion dollars prosecuting the drug war since Richard Nixon declared war on drugs in 1971. Another 69 billion dollars a year down the rat hole and what do we have to show for it? Drugs are more available today at lower prices and higher levels of potency than in the history of the drug war.” – Norm Stamper Feature photo: Former police Chief of Seattle Norm Stampe Phillip Schneider, Staff Writer Waking Times There is no evidence that the war on drugs has made the American people safer, more healthy, or more free. Contrarily,...